歯磨き

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: In 歯磨き (はみがき), tooth 歯 and brushing 磨き combine to denote toothbrushing or toothpaste.
• Basic usage: 歯磨き can denote the act of brushing one's teeth or, in context, the toothpaste used for it.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Brushing and toothpaste
  • A following predicate such as doing the activity or using the product selects the sense.